Share the Drive Pledge Wall

and Pledge Certificates

Teens listen to teens. Organize a pledge wall through your school or community center as a way to get teens to monitor each other on specific good driving practices. Here are the basics on how to create one in your community:

Time to Prepare: 2 to 3 weeks

Time to Execute: 1 week

Materials: poster board or banner paper, markers, paper, photo copier

Cost: $20 to $30

Preparation: Have your organizing group review the resource materials at Drive the Message Home and know the Key Messages from 2007 National Teen Driver Safety Week.

2 to 3 weeks before the event:

• Create a set of Share the Drive Pledges. Focus on ways to reduce distractions. Use the list of fact-based pledges at the end of this section to get you started.

• Teens pick the pledge they want to make and sign their name to it.

• Use whatever works for your space: poster board, banner paper, or a blank plastic banner. Just be sure it’s big enough to attract attention.

• Set a date for the unveiling of the pledge wall and distributing the pledges.

• Encourage everyone at your school or organization to make a pledge to help at least one friend.

• If the event is at school, let everyone know what you are doing and how they can get involved.

• Reach out beyond your school or community group. Consider creating pledge cards people can pass on to friends outside of school and post them as well.

• Send out invitations to the unveiling and also add it to your school or organization’s events calendar .

• Since teens are making a commitment to be safe on the road, invite all who pledged to your event.

On the day of the eventt:

• Gather students, teachers, advisors, family, and friends to unveil the wall.

• Take pictures and e-mail them to your local paper with a short caption on the event.

Share the Drive pledge certificates:

Ask teen leaders for their ideas. Here are some others to try:

Pledge ideas for drivers:

• I pledge to turn off my cell phone when driving.
• I pledge to tell my friends that I cannot be distracted while driving.

Pledge ideas for passengers:

• I pledge to make sure that the driver never talks or texts on his cell phone.
• I pledge to tell my parents to focus on driving and not to be distracted.

Pledge ideas for parents:

• I pledge to never yell at my teen when he/she is driving.
• I pledge to drive an extra two hours with my teen every week.
• I pledge to show my teen that I turn off my cell phone while driving.